Writer

New Year’s Eve conjures up mixed emotions. There’s the festive atmosphere and excitement of a fresh start. Then there’s the fretful planning stage and fury which stems from rowdy crowds and paying an exorbitant $90 to watch a local band.

With emotions running high, we understand the stress involved in piecing together the perfect New Year’s Eve ensemble. This one ensemble that will not only set the sartorial tone for your year ahead, but will live on, forever plastered on the walls of Facebook – so yeah, no pressure.

As parties sell out and the countdown begins, we’ve rounded up some NYE-friendly options that won’t have you looking like a human disco ball. Whether you’re spending December 31 at a house party or poppin’ bottles at da club, these will have you sending 2012 off with a sartorial bang.

As “classy sequins” is a bit of an anomaly, why not opt for graphic digital prints? This year’s hottest trend is just as eye-catching as sparkly sequins and not such a pain to dry clean. Mary Katrantzou’s amazing silk print dresses packed a punch at London Fashion Week recently. You can achieve a similar effect with offerings by local designers Josh Goot and Emma Mullholland, known for her statement skirts and pants. Why not pair these loud iguana-print shorts with a neutral top and streamlined blazer? This outfit is guaranteed to stop traffic. And that comes in handy given the shortage of taxis on the night.

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Alternatively, forgo your usual LBD in favour of a jewel-toneparty dress. Gucci’s Frida Giannini delivered an eye-popping collection of dresses in a kaleidoscope of colours this spring. Suzy Menkes described the frocks, in azalea pink, cobalt blue, coral, turquoise and sunshine yellow, as an “orgy of gorgeousness”.

If your mere mortal pay packet can’t afford one of Frida’s creations, opt for something equally bright and delightful from Dress Up. This playful lattice dress in Fuschia or Splice is everything you’d expect from a NYE ensemble and would look even better paired with punchy metallic sandals, such as these by Zomp.

Though Gucci decorated their models with plastic necklaces and earrings ­- “like a fake Liz Taylor” - we thought we’d opt for something a bit more pricey-looking. These chunky cocktail rings by Isharya were inspired by the bright colours of Bollywood, but won’t cost your entire Christmas bonus. If you’re not a fan of finger bling, opt for Tom Binns’ fluorescent-hued choker instead. After New Year’s, you can wear it with your white T-shirt and jeans to zhuzh up the most casual of ensembles.

Want your sparkle fix this New Year’s Eve? The glittery frock is not so versatile so opt for sparkly nails instead. Though Mariah Carey’s OPI range won’t be out in time, a few coats of USLU x DJ Hugo Capablanca polish will give you confetti nails worthy of a Grammy-winning superstar. They’ll also look great against this shimmery box clutch by Mango or this amazing number by Mawi. Yes, New Year’s may be the most overhyped night of the year, but at least it gives grown women an excuse to wear glitter.